Discouragement comes to us all at some point in life, that feeling of dispiritedness or fatigue which causes us to lose enthusiasm or confidence. Sometimes the cause can be external – criticism from others, failure, fatigue which distorts our perspective, frustration that things are not going exactly as we think they ought to. Sometimes it’s harder to pin down a cause, but we simply lose interest in the ordinary and feel we are bogged down in the mundane. Trivial things get on top of us and we feel we cannot carry on a moment longer. Discouragement and disappointment are often closely linked and can often lead to depression.
Whatever the cause of the discouragement, action has to be taken if we are not to wallow in the Slough of Despond, as John Bunyan vividly described it. Brennan Manning reminds us ‘Suffering, failure, loneliness, sorrow, discouragement, and death will be part of your journey, but the Kingdom of God will conquer all these horrors. No evil can resist grace forever’ Nehemiah, instigator of the great rebuilding programme in Jerusalem, knew what it was to face opposition that cause discouragement. Neh 4 lists the problems and shows us some action which can be taken.
Rest is essential to productive work. We often think we have to keep on working in order to be productive, but there are times when we are too weary to work effectively and need to rest. God designed us for rest as well as for work and we do well to heed the day/night cycle and commandment to rest on the Sabbath. As Elijah shows us, sleep can be an effective tool against discouragement, for perspectives are restored. (see 1 Kings 19).
With rest comes new perspectives; maybe new insights into doing the same things a little differently. Nehemiah reorganised his workforce, with half the men working and half defending. Reorganisation and reflection are useful tools in overcome discouragement.
We also need to remember God. Ps 42:6 reminds us to remember God when we are downcast. Remembrance is a powerful tool against discouragement. As we remember all that God has done on our behalf, faith stirs within us to trust Him for our current situations and continue to hope. We also need to resist the temptation to give in and give up. Charles Stanley reminds us ‘disappointment is inevitable. But to become discouraged, there’s a choice I make.’ That’s why so many of the psalms urge us to speak to our souls and urge us to praise God regardless of how we feel: ‘Come on, my soul, let down the walls and sing.‘ (‘Come On’, Rend Collective) As we declare by faith the things God says are true, we are helped to overcome discouragement and carry on in the strength of the Lord.